178 ttARE ßr GEORGC t: studied our laws, has given diligence to understand" the'citstoms' ofthe land, and acknowledges the excellency ofour'córistitutioh: How happy are we in a prince who has professed in'his royal de- claration, that " our laws, our liberties and religion are most dear to him :" And Whose affection to líis'peopl'e is so conspi- cuous, that he hath gained the hearts of some of his subjects, who could-scarce conceal their enmity to his predecessor. Nor should I be just to mytext on this occasion, if I should nottake notice of that religious sense which our present sovereign bath expressed many years ago, of the interposing providence of God in counterworking all the mischievous devices of Rome and hell, and bringing the protestant succession in the illustrious house of Brunswick to take effect in the person of his royal father: 'He is not one of those that attribute the revolution of kingdoms to chance, but' he regards the work of the Lord there- in, and the 'operation- of his hands. 5. It`Should be added to the rank of our mercies also in this event of providence,, that the king succeeds to the throne or his father in se, much. tranquility and peace.. No tumults nor in- surrections, no'risingsedition, no clashing of'arms. The rebel- lious party aré discouraged andbroken,, their hearts sink within them, and their' men of might have not found their hand's : We trust their number is greatly diminished; and will decrease. continually. George the Second succeeds to the British throne with so general a satisfaction and applause; that we hope it will soon become universal. May the God of heaven fulfil. our hopes! 6. It is a very-remarkable part of our joy, that we are also blessed with a queen of an excellent character, and a spirit of uncommongoodness.. One who hath beenntrained up not only to practise religion, but tounderstand it too. One who hath nob Wasted her Mein the gaieties and'softnesses of a court, but hatla pursued solid knowledge 'in the things of nature, and the affairs- morality : One who hath learned the rules of virtue sufficient to teach them as a science, but who teaches them with more hon- our and success by her own daily practice ; and is not diverted by the splendid temptations of a palace from the richer improvements of the mind." Blessed be God for a Britishqueen who bath sliewn such a sincere zeal and love to the protestant religion, as to refuse the imperial crown' of Germany," lest she should be entangled or de- filed with popish superstition ;" and'who takes a peculiar pleasure to train up her royal offspring in all the pithsof virtue and piety. May divine mercy succeed lier care !' She is a princesswhom we hope the providence of God bath raised up to the royal dig- - ' See Mr. Derham's dedication of his " Astro-Theology.'
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